“圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！得胜的，我必将神乐园中生命树的果子赐给他吃。” – 启2:7
生活在以弗所就意味着周围都是假神崇拜。阿尔忒弥斯神庙是古代世界七大奇迹之一。罗马皇帝多米提安的神庙占据了城市的中心地带。在这样一种将权力和假神奉为偶像并鼓励不道德性行为的文化中，耶稣的跟随者该如何生活呢？
耶稣曾告诉以弗所的基督徒们：“应当回想你是从哪里坠落的”。换句话说，请记住你们曾经拥有的、所做的以及与你们的主和救主一起享有的一切。
耶稣呼吁他们认罪悔改，让神的灵软化他们刚硬的心，使他们的心重新被爱充满。然后，祂敦促他们“行起初所行的事”。换句话说，要忍耐，坚持真理，彼此关爱和理解。
耶稣说，否则，祂将移走他们的灯台。以弗所教会将不复存在。祂这样做是为了祂名的荣耀。
然而，如果他们悔改归顺耶稣，他们就会得胜，可以吃生命树上的果子。耶稣的这一应许让我们期待祂的再来，期待新天新地的降临，期待神乐园中的永生。生命树等待着所有单单信靠耶稣基督，为祂而活，并与他人分享神之爱的人。主耶稣啊，我愿你来。
祷告
全能的神，请帮助我超越一切来爱你，并爱人如己。为了你的荣耀，阿们。
启示录 2:4-7；22:1-5；使徒行传 19:17-20
4‘然而，有一件事我要责备你，就是你把起初的爱心离弃了。
5所以，应当回想你是从哪里坠落的，并要悔改，行起初所行的事。你若不悔改，我就临到你那里，把你的灯台从原处挪去。
6然而，你还有一件可取的事，就是你恨恶尼哥拉一党人的行为，这也是我所恨恶的。
7圣灵向众教会所说的话，凡有耳的，就应当听！得胜的，我必将神乐园中生命树的果子赐给他吃。’
1天使又指示我在城内街道当中一道生命水的河，明亮如水晶，从神和羔羊的宝座流出来。
2在河这边与那边有生命树，结十二样果子，每月都结果子，树上的叶子乃为医治万民。
3以后再没有咒诅。在城里有神和羔羊的宝座，他的仆人都要侍奉他，
4也要见他的面。他的名字必写在他们的额上。
5不再有黑夜，他们也不用灯光、日光，因为主神要光照他们。他们要做王，直到永永远远。
17凡住在以弗所的，无论是犹太人是希腊人，都知道这事，也都惧怕，主耶稣的名从此就尊大了。
18那已经信的，多有人来承认诉说自己所行的事。
19平素行邪术的，也有许多人把书拿来，堆积在众人面前焚烧。他们算计书价，便知道共合五万块钱。
20主的道大大兴旺，而且得胜，就是这样。
Victory!
“To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to eat from the tree of life, which is in the paradise of God.” — Revelation 2:7
To live in Ephesus meant being surrounded by the worship of false gods. The temple to Artemis was one of the seven wonders of the ancient world. The temple of the Roman emperor Domitian dominated the central part of the city. How was a follower of Jesus to live in a culture that idolized power and false gods and encouraged sexual immorality?
Jesus had told the Ephesian Christians, “Consider how far you have fallen.” In other words, remember what you once had and did and enjoyed with your Lord and Savior.
Jesus called them to repent of their sin, to allow the Spirit of God to soften their hardened hearts and give them a restored heart of love. Then he urged them to “do the things [they] did at first.” In other words, persevere, hold on to the truth, and show love and compassion to one another.
Otherwise, said Jesus, he would remove their lampstand. The Ephesian church would no longer exist. He would do that for the honor of his name.
However, if they would repent and be restored to him, they would be victorious and be able to eat from the tree of life. This promise of Jesus looks forward to his return and the establishment of the new heavens and new earth, eternal life in the paradise of God. The tree of life awaits all who profess faith in Jesus Christ alone, live for him, and share his love with everyone. Come, Lord Jesus.
Prayer
Almighty God, help me to love you above all, and others as myself. For your glory, Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
